Differences in the prevalence and severity of arthritis among racial/ethnic groups in the United States, National Health Interview Survey, 2002, 2003, and 2006

Abstract

We describe the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis and its impact on activities, work, and joint pain for 6 racial/ethnic groups: non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and multiracial or "other" respondents. We combined data from the 2002, 2003, and 2006 National Health Interview Survey (n = 85,784) and, after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, compared racial/ethnic differences. Arthritis-attributable activity limitation, arthritis-attributable work limitation, and severe joint pain were higher for non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and multiracial or other respondents with arthritis compared with non-Hispanic whites with arthritis. Our finding that arthritis disproportionately affects certain racial/ethnic minorities may be useful for planning interventions.

Figure.

Odds of having arthritis and associated limitations, by race/ethnicity, National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2002, 2003, and 2006. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. The horizontal lines indicate confidence intervals. Abbreviations: NHW, non-Hispanic white; NHB, non-Hispanic black; HIS, Hispanic; AI/AN, American Indian/Alaska Native; API, Asian/Pacific Islander; MRO, multiracial or "other." Data for other and multiple race populations are combined. Respondents in this category were non-Hispanic. Arthritis was defined as answer of yes to the question, "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia?" Arthritis-attributable activity limitation was defined as answer of yes to the question, "Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?" Severe joint pain was defined as a rating of 7-10 on a scale assessing average pain in the last 30 days, with 0 being no pain and 10 being worst pain. (Approximately 28% of respondents with doctor-diagnosed arthritis did not report joint pain in the past 30 days and were not asked the question about pain severity. For this analysis, these respondents were classified as not having severe joint pain and were included in the denominator.) Arthritis-attributable work limitation was defined as answer of yes to the question, "Do arthritis or joint symptoms now affect whether you work, the type of work you do, or the amount of work you do?" among working-age respondents (18-64 years).